Section 144 in The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1989 (1933 A. D.)
144. Power to issue order [xxx] [Substituted by Act XL of 1966.] in urgent case of nuisance or apprehended danger.
(1)In cases where, in the opinion of a District Magistrate, a Sub-Divisional Magistrate, or of any other [Executive Magistrate] [Substituted by Act XL of 1966.] specially empowered by the [Government] [Substituted by Act XV of 2006 for 'High Court'.] to act under this section, there is sufficient ground for proceeding under this section and immediate prevention or speedy remedy is desirable, such Magistrate may, by a written order stating the material facts of the case and served in [the] [Inserted by Act XV of 2006.] manner provided by section 134, direct any person to abstain from a certain act or [to take certain order with respect to certain property] [Deleted by Act XIII of 1985, Section 2.] in his possession or under his management, if such Magistrate considers that such direction is likely to prevent, or tends to prevent, obstruction, annoyance or injury, [x x x] [Deleted by Act XIII of 1985, Section 2.] to any person lawfully employed, or danger to human life health or safety, or a disturbance of the public tranquillity, or a riot, or an affray(2)An order under this section may, in cases of emergency or in cases where the circumstances do not admit of the serving in due time of a notice upon the person against whom the order is directed, be passed ex-parte.(3)[ An order under this section may be directed to a particular individual, or to persons residing in a particular place or area, or to the public generally when frequenting or visiting a particular place or area.(4)No order under this section shall remain in force for more than two months from the making thereof :Provided that, if the Government considers it necessary so to do for preventing danger to human life, health or safety or for preventing riot or any affray, it may, by notification in the Government Gazette, direct that an order made by a Magistrate under this section shall remain in force for such further period not exceeding six months from the date on which the order made by the Magistrate would have, but for such order, expired, as it may specify in the said notification.(5)Any Magistrate may, either on his own motion or on the application of any person aggrieved, rescind or alter any order made under this section by himself or any Magistrate subordinate to him or by his predecessor-in office.(6)The Government may either on its own motion or on the application of any person aggrieved, rescind or alter any order made by it under the proviso to sub-section (4).(7)Where an application under sub-section (5) or sub-section (6) is received, the Magistrate, or the Government, as the case may be, shall afford to the applicant an early opportunity of appearing before him or it, either in person or by pleader and showing cause against the order, and if the Magistrate or the Government, as the case may be, rejects the application wholly or in part, he or it shall record in writing the reasons for so doing] [Substituted by Act XIII of 1985, Section 2.].
